Contella a role model for Wildcats

She knows she is not going to be in the starting lineup. She knows she isn't going to be the go-to person if the game is on the line. She knows she isn't going to lead the team in points.

Jay Pinsonnault

She knows she is not going to be in the starting lineup. She knows she isn't going to be the go-to person if the game is on the line. She knows she isn't going to lead the team in points.

But what senior Lindsey Contella does know is her role on the York High School girls basketball team and that is alright with her.

"I have no problem with my role at all," said Contella, a two-year varsity player. "We have a great team with great players. I know I don't have a starting role and my role is to add a few points and some extra rebounds."

The 5-foot-9 Contella plays between 15 and 18 minutes a game, spelling senior Niki Taylor and sophomores Emily Campbell and Marquis MacGlashing as needed. She is averaging 4.5 points a game and 4.2 rebounds a game.

York High School head coach Rick Clark views Contella as a very valuable player on a team which has won 47 straight regular season games and is the defending Class B state champion.

"When she goes into any game, almost instantly she does something," Clark said. "It could be a rebound, scoring a point or making a good defensive stop. Every time she goes out on the floor, she is ready to go and that's the best part about her game. She's a good rebounder and is a very physical player underneath. She knows what is expected of her."

Contella was summoned into action early in last year's state championship game against Nokomis at the Bangor Auditorium as Taylor picked up her second foul with 2:40 left in the first quarter.

"Without hesitation I put her in there, that's how much confidence I had in her," Clark said. "She knows you can't be winning state championships and play deep in the tournament without a deep bench and she accepted that role in a positive fashion."

Contella, who said grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring on the putback is her favorite thing to do, also picked up two quick fouls in the state championship game.

"It was definitely surprising for me (to be in the game that early)," Contella said. "It was my first year on varsity and to get in so early, it was nerve-racking. It was so exciting to be there and play in that game. It was probably the best night ever."

Another highlight for Contella was last year's regulars season game at Cape Elizabeth. It was also a game which she played just four minutes. The Wildcats and Capers were in a close game late in the first half.

"We were tied when I went into the game and I scored like four or five points in a matter of 60 seconds," Contella said. "I think it was a turning point in that game."

Clark said Contella's biggest game so far this season was a nine-point effort in York's 70-20 win at Yarmouth on Jan. 7.

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